Does Thrifty require an IDP in South Korea?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
Thrifty in South Korea: the policy in plain terms
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South Korea commonly asks foreign drivers for an IDP issued in their home country alongside their national licence.
In South Korea specifically, many rental companies and local authorities in South Korea ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so Thrifty will typically ask for it at the counter. 1949 Geneva IDP requested at all rental desks.
Thrifty runs a global network; at its South Korea desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva Convention format alongside the original licence. South Korea drives on the right, uses the KRW, and sets a minimum driving age of 18, so an IDP is the document that removes any doubt at the counter.
What to bring to the Thrifty counter in South Korea
- Your original national driving licence (the IDP never replaces it).
- Your International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva Convention format.
- Your passport and a payment card in the main driver's name.
- Local payment for the KRW deposit; South Korea drives on the right with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in South Korea Thrifty renters should know
- Extensive speed and red-light camera network.
- 0.03% alcohol limit; licence revoked above 0.08%.
- Bus lanes restricted during set hours.
- Carry passport, IDP and home licence.
Thrifty's rental terms that affect your IDP booking
Thrifty's published minimum rental age is 20 at most U.S. and Canada locations (18 in Michigan, New York, and Quebec); drivers aged 20-24 (or 18-24 in those exception states/province) are charged an Underage Drivers fee that varies by location, typically around $29/day and higher (roughly $35-$52) in New York and Michigan.
A valid credit/debit card in the renter's own name is required and a hold is placed for estimated charges plus roughly $200 extra for credit cards or $500 for debit (about $350 CAD in Canada); Visa/Mastercard/Discover debit cards are accepted only on Compact through Fullsize classes (not Premium and above) and a physical card must be presented as digital-wallet cards are not accepted.
Additional drivers must meet the minimum age requirement and hold a valid licence, and an additional-driver fee applies per day; it is waived for Blue Chip Rewards members, government renters on official orders, corporate-rate customers, and the companion/driver of a physically impaired customer. Thrifty's general policy requires a valid driver's licence covering the entire rental period but does not publish a fixed minimum tenure; in practice under-25 renters are typically expected to have held a full licence for at least one year.
Driving is generally restricted to the continental United States and Canada, and a Canadian resident is prohibited from driving a U.S.-owned vehicle into Canada; one-way rentals are offered within the U.S. and within Canada subject to location/availability with a one-way drop fee.
Foreign renters must present a driver's licence issued in their country of residence together with a valid passport; if the licence is not in English, Thrifty requires both the foreign licence and a current International Driver's Permit to be presented.
Once you collect the keys in South Korea
Expressways use the Hi-Pass electronic system; if your rental has a Hi-Pass transponder use the blue Hi-Pass lanes, otherwise take the cash/card hybrid lanes and never enter a Hi-Pass-only lane. A Seoul-Busan trip costs roughly 20,000-25,000 KRW and tolls are payable by cash, card or T-money.
Street parking is scarce and metered; pay at the meter or machine and reverse-parking is the local norm in narrow bays. Cities use paid public lots and underground mall garages (often 1,000-3,000 KRW per 30 min), and illegally parked cars in central Seoul are ticketed or towed.
Speeding fines commonly run 30,000-120,000+ KRW (school zones, 30 km/h, double fines from 2026), phone-without-handsfree and seatbelt are fined, and drink-driving at 0.03% BAC or above is severely punished. Camera fines are billed to the renter's card with an admin fee; some on-the-spot fines apply at stops.
Call 112 for police and 119 for ambulance/fire; for any injury or insurance claim file a police report and do not leave the scene. Photograph vehicle positions before moving, and avoid privately settling with the other party as fault is determined for insurance.
Full driving guide for South Korea →